Although plans change, we wanted to let you know what our live schedule is every week in case you wanted to tune in live, call or chat during the program. So this weeks schedule:

05-18-08 Cubworld will be joining us in studio.  Sorry it’s been so long but in a little over a week, we’ll be back. I would once again encourage you to get a twitter account and follow DocTrey to get notified if things should change.

This question gets asked quite often by my students and I thought I would address it here. Shaping the nail to play the ʻukulele can amount to a bit of trial and error. Hereʻs a few suggestions to set you on your way. First off, let me say that I particularly have odd shaped fingers. On my fingering hand, I have to deal with my middle and ring fingers on which the nails grow upward. For those who are considering acrylic, please be forewarned that the reason for my nails wanting to grow in a different direction is because I used to use acrylic and it has since forced the odd growing pattern. The reason? I wanted my nails thicker so I used a lot of acrylic to give them a thicker sound. So, on to the good stuff…

Why shape your nails? Your nails can drastically change the tone of the instrument. If you think of your nails like a built in pick, you will understand why I say to shape them the way I do.

All you would need to purchase for this is a 4 to 6 way buffer. Emory boards will heat up when used and you normally canʻt get that smooth finish as you would with a buffer. The one i use is made by Revlon called the Shape ‘N’ Buff. You can find these at most drug stores. Obviously you would use these buffers from coarsest grain to the least coarse to get the smoothest possible finish. Always hold the buffer underneath the nail and not head on. Try to create an angle of about 45 degrees when filing and remember you can overdo it, so use your best discretion.

The shape of the nail itself should allow for the nail to run down the string so that you can utilize as much energy of the nail as possible. This would mean that you would need to create a ramp on the left side of the nail (if youʻre right handed, and all ʻukulele players should be.) The left edge of the nail should be pretty much flush with the skin and the ramp should not be too steep. In other words, although itʻs a matter of preference, the longer the nail, the less control you will have over your picking, also the length will affect the tone also. Remember that you will probably want to feel the string as youʻre picking it.

I hope this helps you in your quest for the perfect tone on the ʻukulele, and by all means, if you feel I’ve left anything out, feel free to comment.

Technorati Tags: ukulele, fingernail, shape, shaping, nail file, revlon, Dr. Trey, music, hawaii

Congratulations to all the finalists.  Personally I’d like to congratulate those who I’ve had the chance to work with this past year.  So, a special congrats to:  Mighty J, King Kekai, Hula Records for the Tribute to Gabby slack key compilation and the Hawai’i Falsetto Contest winners Vol. 8, and Darin Leong!

Heres the link.

Check out this press release i found on The Open Press

Fortuna, CA (OPENPRESS) April 23, 2008 — When you think top-selling stringed instruments, chances are you aren’t envisioning the ukulele among them. But that’s where you’d be wrong… at least at Fortuna Music Mart.

The humble and oft-maligned ukulele ranks third among the most sought-after instruments in their inventory (right behind the Walden D351 acoustic guitar and the Walden G1070 acoustic guitar).

And why not? The miniature instrument popularized by Don Ho and (dare we say it?) Tiny Tim is making a comeback. Musical giants Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Brian May of Queen are ukulele players and fans. Departed rockers Joe Strummer, John Lennon and George Harrison were also big into this little instrument. George Harrison was an active member of the George Formby Society, a group of British ukulele aficionados.

George Harrison even gave Paul McCartney a ukulele – the very one which Paul used to play the Harrison-penned tune “Something” at a memorial concert in San Francisco for the former Beatle.

So how did the little instrument with the peculiar-sounding moniker get that name? According to legend, 400 Portuguese immigrants arrived at the island of Honolulu on the afternoon of August 23, 1879. One of those arriving immigrants, Joao Fernandes (gleeful over the Ravenscrag’s safe landing after its four-month, 15,000-mile journey), borrowed a friend’s braguinha (a stringed instrument in the guitar family, also known as a cavaquinho). Fernandes then leapt from the ship and began playing folk songs from his homeland. The native Hawaiians who had come down to the wharf to greet the immigrants on their arrival were impressed by the speed with which his fingers navigated the instrument’s fingerboard. They dubbed the unusual instrument “ukulele” – referring to the visual image those flying fingers conjured up.

Oh, and the English translation of “ukulele”? “Jumping flea.”

Fortuna Music Mart carries a delightful selection of Mahalo painted acoustic ukuleles, as well as some lovely Oscar Schmidt Acoustic and Acoustic Electric ukuleles. See their entire selection of ukuleles at www.FortunaMusicMart.com.

Ukuleles are among the most reasonably priced musical instruments available today. The Mahalo Painted U30 Ukulele, available in five eye-catching colors (sky blue, ocean blue, hibiscus red, pineapple gold and midnight black), features 100% maple construction and an ebonized bridge and fingerboard. The frets are polished brass; the guitar-style tuners are nickel plated, with plastic knobs. There’s even a color-coordinated carrying bag.

If you’re looking to express your funky musical style in an even more daring way, try out the Mahalo U1 Painted Ukulele Kit. Inside the unassuming grey carrying bag is the wildest looking musical instrument you’ll ever lay eyes on. This maple-body ukulele comes in either light blue or pineapple gold, and it’s decorated with all manner of tropical fruits – pineapples, mangoes, star fruit, coconuts and bananas – to lend a tropical punch to your performance. The kit comes with pitch pipes, a felt plectrum (similar to a guitar pick, but made of compressed felt) – and even an instructional DVD to start you on the way to becoming the hit of any party with your dazzling ukulele-strumming abilities.

The ukulele is small, light and portable – and easy to learn. Plus, an astounding number of people have never actually seen or heard one… so when you pull yours out and begin to play, just watch the smiles bloom across their faces.

As a matter of fact, Paul McCartney (whose first solo album featured the ukulele) is credited with having said, “To this day, if I ever meet grownups who play ukulele, I love ’em.”

So, if you’ve been seeking Paul McCartney’s love and admiration, get yourself an acoustic or electric ukulele from Fortuna Music Mart by visiting www.FortunaMusicMart.com.

About Fortuna Music Mart: Fortuna Music Mart carries a range of stringed instruments (bass, banjos, guitars, mandolins and ukuleles), along with an eclectic selection of crystal flutes and hand drums. Fortuna Music Mart also stocks the Kustom line of acoustic, bass and electric guitar amplifiers. For further information about Fortuna Music Mart, please call 707-725-9230 or visit www.FortunaMusicMart.com.

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Professional Free Press Release News Wire

Those of you in the industry are quite aware of one of the Hawaii music industry’s most influential cast members. He’s been on stage at the Hoku awards for many years presenting the people’s choice awards, He’s been the man behind keeping Hawaiian (and non Hawaiian) music alive and well at the live performances at his stores. We’ve even talked on occasion about him on our podcast. Les Honda of Borders Books and Music has announced today that his last day working for Borders will be on March 14th. Thank you Les for all that you have done for everyone, I know that I can represent everyone in saying that we all wish you the very best.

Technorati Tags: Borders Books and Music, Les Honda

Just days after the passing of Aunty Genoa, We say goodbye to another of Hawaii’s legends. This time it’s Slack Key Master, Uncle Ray Kane. I can still remember about 15 years ago when he would come down to Microphone Music (a music distribution company that I used to work for.) I’m gonna miss his passion for life and music. Uncle Ray would always tell me about his respect for traditional Hawaiian music. Hopefully this passion will carry on through the many guitarists he has influenced.

Honolulu Advertiser Article

Technorati Tags: raymond kane, slack key

It was a privilege for me to have met her. You will be missed Aunty.

Here’s the news release from GenoaKeawe.com
Early Monday morning, February 25, 2008, Aunty Genoa Leilani Keawe passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Papakolea. She has dealt with many health challenges in the last 10 years of her life and has met each obstacle with great faith and determination to bounce back into the lime light with her many performances. Her team of doctors treated her with admirable service. Her Heavenly Father has truly blessed her 89 years of life with strength in maintaining her beautiful soprano voice for everyone to enjoy up to the last day at home. Aunty Genoa has lived a full life and is very happy with all the blessings of family and her self-taught career as an entertainer and business woman. She was a very simple person. She loved the people of Hawaii and her many fans throughout the world for their support through her experiences and travels.

Service arrangements will be by Borthwick Mortuary. Services will be conducted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for which she has served as a faithful member.

Genoa Leilani Adolpho married Edward P. Keawe-Aiko. Together they had 12 children. Today there are 3 survivors, Gary P. Keawe-Aiko (#1), Eli Kaeo Paalua (#8) and Eric K. Keawe (#11). Deceased are Moana, Arthur, Victoria, Edward Jr., Samuel, Miriam, James, Kauilani & Sonny. She has 40 Grand Children 98 Great Grand Children and 81 Great, Great Grand Children. She recognizes her deceased children’s spouses as well who has always been there for support when needed, Howard Lono, Iwalani (Ho), Frederick Amina, Snooks (Watson), Barbara (Buchanan), Patrick Ah Yuen and two hanai daughters Suzie Harrison and Roberta Silva.

Where I heard the news

Technorati Tags: aunty, genoa keawe

This is the Superbowl show from the SuperCast. Vern spends most of his time on this program trying to either congratulate the Giants of NY or pimp his new nickname “V. Breezy.” Other than that hear thoughts on Cloverfield and Emergency Dental appointments. If you want the promised link because you have DoctorTrey.com on your top 8 MySpace, email Dr. Trey with the link to your MySpace Page. For the record, meebo has a chatroom now, so we’re going to use it for the live shows. Also, if you want to get notified when we’re doing a live show, jump on twitter and get text messages sent to your phone informing you of this.

Links:

Our Chatroom
Twitter Dr. Trey
808talk
808talk TV
Mighty J
The Icon
The Aloha Podcast Network
The New DoctorTrey.com

MySpace Linkers:

Mailani Makainai
Katie
Miracle
Kanoa of Gomega
King Kekai
Hekili
Beach Walks With Rox
Kimo Watanabe
Shane Konno
John Cruz
CTrav
Rob Yamanoha

Technorati Tags: doctortrey.com, dr. trey, the icon, jroq, jenn wright, podcast, podcasters, podcasting, hawaii, music, hawaiian music, ukulele, music industry, V. Brown, Vern Brown, 808talk, streaming video, video, cloverfield, superbowl, lost

 

 V Breezy? [40:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you haven’t seen a Pinto in Hawaii, how can you say you live here? We discuss the serious topics on this program. Yes, even the Chicken Flu. This is the 3rd and final show of the evening of great shows, so enjoy. If you want the promised link because you have DoctorTrey.com on your top 8 MySpace, email Dr. Trey with the link to your MySpace Page. For the record, meebo has a chatroom now, so we’re going to use it for the live shows. Also, if you want to get notified when we’re doing a live show, jump on twitter and get text messages sent to your phone informing you of this.

Links:

Our Chatroom
Twitter Dr. Trey
808talk
808talk TV
Mighty J
The Icon
The Aloha Podcast Network
The New DoctorTrey.com

MySpace Linkers:

Mailani Makainai
Katie
Miracle
Kanoa of Gomega
King Kekai
Hekili
Beach Walks With Rox
Kimo Watanabe
Shane Konno
John Cruz
CTrav
Rob Yamanoha

Technorati Tags: doctortrey.com, dr. trey, the icon, jroq, jenn wright, podcast, podcasters, podcasting, hawaii, music, hawaiian music, ukulele, music industry, V. Brown, Vern Brown, 808talk, streaming video, video

 

 The Chicken Flu [40:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

John Berger of the Honolulu Starbulletin has a review posted of Kanoa’s Album Makin Through the Breakthrough, and it’s a great review. I’d like to send a heartfelt congratulations to both Kanoa and Ipo. Thanks for recording it at The Doctor’s Office.

Links: The Review

Technorati Tags: honolulu starbulletin, john berger, kanoa kukaua, kanoa of gomega, ipo, makin through the breakthrough